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| Nicholas Mutu. |
Justice F. Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja on Monday, February 9, 2026 slated March 23, 2026 for delivery of judgment in the trial of Nicholas Mutu, a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives.
Mutu is
facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,
alongside Airworld Technologies Ltd and Oyien Homes on 13- count charges of
money laundering and gratification to the tune of N320 million.
At Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the first and third defendants, E. I.
Ekweto, SAN drew the attention of the court to a motion filed on December 10,
2035 on eight grounds in support of a written address where he urged the court
to strike out the case and acquit the defendants.
In
response, counsel to the prosecution, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN informed the court
of his motion, dated January 28, 2026, adopting the final written addresses, in
which he stated that the prosecution has proved its case against the defendants
with testimonies from four witnesses and tendering of documents that showed
that the funds involved were proceeds of illegal activities.
“The
testimonies of the witnesses pointed to the fact that these monies were paid as
gratifications. There was no time that suggestions were made that the payments
that were made were in respect of a contract. Witnesses whose testimonies were
not contradicted and uncontroverted show that there is no way that their
evidence can’t be believed”
“More
importantly is the attempt to prepare documents to pervert the course of
justice in the cause of the proceedings. The issue about the origin of the
money as raised by defence counsel, is not about the money being paid to
Starlines from NDDC, but rather the payment to Starlines at the instance of the
first defendant. That is where the unlawful activity sets in as testified by
PW1 and PW2. So, my lord, we have reacted to all their submissions in our
written addresses and we urge the honourable court to hold that the prosecution
has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and to convict the defendants,” he
said.
Justice
Ogunbanjo adjourned the matter till March 23, 2026 for delivery of judgment.
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